Child&#39;s adjustable stilts



July 15, 1969 Filed Oct. 12, 1966 a 46 '3 A 10 5 43 I I 42 4? l2 F/ o INVENTOR.

G 3 KENNETH KENWORTH) BOWDE/V B. KENWORTHY PATENT ATTORNEY United States Patent 01 iice 3,454,965 Patented July 15, 1969 3,454,965 CHlLDS ADJUSTABLE STILTS Kenneth Kenworthy and Bowden B. Kenworthy, both of 1500 Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, Calif. 95401 Filed Oct. 12, 1966, Ser. No. 586,173 Int. Cl. A61f 3/00 U.S. Cl. 3-4 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Stilts are provided with a plurality of stacked leg extension members and stacked base members with connecting means so that extensions and bases may be added or removed as desired. Thus, the stilts accommodate users of different sizes and skills.

This invention relates to the new and improved adjustable stilts for children which are characterized by their stability and adjustability for children of various ages and for a child as he grows in skill in use of the device, as well as size.

A primary feature of this invention is the fact that the stilts are adjustable in size both as to the height of the stilts above ground level and in relation to the leg length of the child using the stilts. Adjustability of the stilts above ground level is provided by removable inserts which allow for varying heights of the foot rest or support above ground level. Adjustability of the vertical support member adjacent the childs leg is provided by a number of removable inserts in the vertical member to provide varying lengths according to the childs size. The inserts may be attached by an easily operated stud and strap combination.

A further feature of the invention is that in use the childs foot is directly vertically above the point at which the stilt touches the ground to provide a high degree of stability. Conventional stilts require considerable skill and dexterity for their use, which are particularly diflicult for small children. The present invention provides a stilt in which the foot rest continues vertically downward to the ground so that the foot of the user is directly over the point at which the weight is transmitted to the ground. This weight distribution makes the stilt much easier to learn to use and enables even quite small children to walk with the stilts without difiiculty.

A still further feature of this invention is the provision of a strap across the foot rest to hold the foot of the wearer in contact with the foot rest, the strap being adjustable to various lengths and sizes of feet. A further advantage of the invention is the provision of ties or straps which are adjustable in length to extend around the leg of the user to secure the base to the users leg.

A still further feature and advantage of the present device is the fact that its construction is very simple and economical, is easily adjustable in size, by simple connections, and provides stilts for children at a low cost.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that the stilt is made of three basic components, each preferably molded. The components are a central foot rest member, an upward extending leg member, and a downward extending base member. The leg or base members or both may be duplicated to provide for the adjustability heretofore mentioned.

Other objects of the present invention will become ap parent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent coresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation showing the stilts in use.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the stilt components.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation showing a joint of components.

Stilts have consistently enjoyed popularity among small children but their usage has been limited by at least three drawbacks: one being that previous stilts have been so constructed that they are unstable and difficult to use, another being that because of the great diflference in sizes among children which comprise the users of such stilts, stilts of a given size would only fit a small percentage of children, and a third being that the length of the stilts limits sales because distribution costs are high. The present invention solves these problems by providing stilts which are extremely stable, which are adjustable for both the leg length of the child and the height of the stilts above the ground, and which are made of detachable components readily shipped.

The stilt comprises three main components, each preferably molded of plastic: a foot rest 11, a leg element 12, and a base 13 and the stilt is extensible by use of a plurality of leg elements and/or base elements. Foot rest 11 has a top surface 16 upon which the shoe of the user rests. Laterally offset to the outside of the foot is an upward extension 17 having a smaller dimensioned, preferably rectangular cross-section, upward projecting stud 18 with a shoulder 19 at the base of extension 17. An outward extending pin 21 with an enlarged head 22 is located near the top of extension 17. Below surface 16 is a hollow, downward tapering portion 23 having a smaller dimensioned, preferably circular cross-section downward projecting boss 24 with a shoulder 26 at the top of the boss. It will be observed that the center of extension 24 is directly under surface 16, so that the weight of the user is vertically supported, rather than from the side, as in conventional stilts. This feature greatly improves stability. At the same time, stud 17 is to the outside of the leg, which permits extensions 12 to rest along the outside of the leg, likewise promoting stability.

Each leg element 12 has a downward facing, slightly tapering socket 31 complementary to stud 17 and an upward extending second stud 32 similar to stud 17 with a shoulder 33 at the base of stud 32. Socket 31 is formed with a vertical slot 34 to receive pin 21. Second stud 32 has a second pin 36 having an enlarged head 37 similar in shape and function to pin 21-22.

Each base element 13 has an upward facing, slightly tapering top socket 41 complementary to extension 24 and a downward second extension 42 similar to extension 24 with a shoulder 43 at the top of the extension.

In assembled position, stud 17 fits into socket 31 until the bottom of socket 31 rests on shoulder 19 and at the same time pin 21 slides up slot 34, the tapering of the parts, the closeness of the fit of the parts and the resiliency of the plastic of which the parts are made normally holding the two parts together. Nevertheless, when desired, the parts 11 and 12 may be pulled apart. Additional leg extensions 12 may fit above the first extension in the same manner, the number being sufiicient to reach the knee.

In assembled position the socket 41 of base member 13 receives extension 24 and these two parts also normally hold together, but can be separated if desired. Additional base members 13 may be added as skill in use of the stilts is achieved.

A foot strap 46 having a plurality of holes 47 at either end is used to strap the shoe of the user to the platform 16. Strap 46 is preferably of a vinyl plastic or other stretchable substance permitting the strap to be attached to pin 21 by hole 47 stretching to accommodate head 22 and then tightening to hold the strap in place. A third pin 48 (see FIG. 1) similar to pin 21 is positioned on the inside of portion 23 to receive the inner end of strap 46,

3 the strap passing across the top of the instep and inside the side of the shoe.

A leg strap 51, likewise formed at either end with holes 52 has both its ends attached to the pin 36 of the uppermost leg extension 12, strap 51 passing aroundrthe leg of the user, preferably below the knee and above the thick portion of the muscle of the calf.

Use of straps 46 and 51 holds the leg of even a small child securely on the stilt so that it is truly an extension of the leg. Adjustment for leg length is made by adding leg extensions 12. The stilt may be raised above the ground by adding bases 13. The stilts may be packaged and shipped in compact form by disassembly of elements 11, 12 and 13. Elements 12 and 13 may be sold separately from foot rest 11. For beginners, foot rest 11 and straps 46 and 51 alone are sufficient.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable stilt comprising a footrest having a platform for the foot of the user, a plurality of stacked base members below said platform, said platform and base members having cooperating interfitting bases and first sockets permitting addition and removal of base members to adjust the elevation of said platform, said base members extending directly downward below said platform to the ground, whereby the weight of the user is transmitted to the ground directly below said platform, a plurality of stacked leg extension members, an upward lateral extension on said foot-rest, said leg extensions having cooperating intelfitting second sockets and studs on opposite ends thereof, said studs shaped the same as said lateral extension and complementary to said second sockets, said second sockets formed with longitudinal slots,

said lateral extension and said leg extensions having pins fitting into said slots permitting addition and removal of leg extensions.

2. An adjustable stilt according to claim 1 which further comprises a flexible leg strap formed with holes at each end receiving said pin and adapted to extend around the leg of the user.

3. An adjustable stilt according to claim 1 which further comprises a foot strap having a plurality of holes and pins on said foot rest on the inside and outside of said foot rest fitting into holes in said foot strap, said foot strap adapted to fit over the top of the foot of the user to hold said foot on said platform.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 351,294 10/ 1886 Stillman 272-702 642,841 2/ 1900 Freshour 34 1,575,847 3/1926 King et a1. 34 2,531,251 11/1950 Bruno 27270.1 2,832,079 4/1958 Bailey 34 3,070,807 1/ 1963 Wheeler 34 FOREIGN PATENTS 457,587 12/ 1936 Great Britain.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner R. L. FRINKS, Asssistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 128-334; l-160 

